James was taken aback by his old friend’s claim. “You’re saying the moon spoke to you?”
Tom nodded and shrugged. James tilted his head up. His eyes tracked across the black canvas until he saw the faint shimmer of the moon coming through the thick clouds. Silence fell between them.
Although Tom and James were inseparable as children, as adults they had drifted apart. Yet here they were, two decades on, stood in the dark by the river at the edge of town. The night was still and the only noise they heard was the gentle sound of running water.
James started laughing.
Tom’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
“It’s not that. Just a thought that came to me. Remember that old wardrobe in your parent’s house? The one you thought was haunted?”
Tom did not smile. “Made of old ship timbers it was. Cursed. Haunted by a drowned sailor.”
“I never saw anything,” James said. “Even when we camped in the room overnight.”
“You slept through everything,” Tom said. “I saw him. He peered in the tent. He had a patch over one eye and his skin was green and bloated.”
“You had quite an imagination.”
“I was paralysed with fear.”
James shook his head. “That wasn’t long after your Dad died, was it?”
“I know where you’re going with this, and you’re wrong.”
“It’s just – you know – people going through difficult times may be more susceptible to certain things.”
Tom crossed his arms. “Maybe it’s you that wasn’t susceptible enough?”
James bit his lip. Tom was still the same after all these years.
“I’m sorry. This just takes me back.” He paused. “I haven’t seen you much recently – not since your mother’s funeral. When you texted tonight, it was a bit out of the blue.”
“I needed to tell somebody.”
Something splashed in the river, and both men looked at the water.
“I know it sounds crazy,” Tom said. “But the moon did speak to me.”
“Right,” James pursed his lips and blew. “Did you reply?”
“Yes. I told him my name.”
“Him?”
“He had a man’s voice.”
“Of course. Did he ask you anything else?”
“Where I lived, my age and why was I out here alone.”
James raised his eyebrows. “You had a conversation with the moon?”
“I suppose I did.”
James took a deep breath, and the smell of pine trees filled his nostrils. “Do you think he’ll make an appearance tonight?”
“He said if I wanted to talk again, that I should return to this same spot.”
“Well, if we have to wait, let’s sit down.” James surveyed his surroundings. His eyes were adapting to the dark, and he could make out the river as it snaked its way into the woods. He signalled to a boulder and they both sat down.
James stroked the rock underneath him. “How much time did we spend here as kids?”
Tom remained silent as he stared upwards.
James rubbed his chin. “How long has it been since the funeral? Three months?”
“Five.”
“I’m sorry I’ve not come to see you since. I’ve had no time at all; been so hectic getting everything ready for the baby. Steph is more frantic by the day.”
“Right.”
James yawned. “Talking of houses, have you any intention of selling that big old place of yours?”
Tom dropped his gaze and looked over at James. “I don’t know. It was Mum’s house. I feel like she’s still there.”
“Being alone must be very strange for you. You should come around to ours for dinner one night. Steph would love to see you.”
Tom scoffed. “She hates me.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“She said I was creepy.”
“That was years ago. And she was drunk. She knows how much you mean to me.”
Tom cackled. “How much I mean to you? Who are you kidding? We’ve barely spoken in years.”
James dropped his hands to his sides. “Then why on earth did you invite me here tonight?”
“I told you – I wanted to share this with someone. You were the first person I thought of.”
James looked down. “Listen, man, I know you’ve been through a lot recently, but this is weird.”
Tom looked over at James. There was sadness in his eyes. “Just wait and see. When he talks to you as well, then you’ll know. We can share that experience. It’ll be like when we were kids.”
James sighed and stood up. “I’m gonna go. Let me drive you home.
“But he hasn’t arrived yet.”
“No one is coming.” James put his hand on Tom’s shoulder. “I’m always here for you, man, but I have a lot on my plate right now. I can’t be babysitting you as well.”
Tom’s head dropped.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just think you should talk to someone; a professional. Tell them about the moon and see what they say.”
“But it’s you I wanted to tell.”
“I’m gonna go. It’s late. Come with me, will you? We can discuss the moon another time.”
“No. I’m going to stay a while longer. Won’t you stay as well? Then you’ll see.”
“I’m going.”
James stood up and lost his footing and slid down the riverbank into the shallow end of the water. Tom reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him before he slipped any further, but not before both legs were soaked.
“You’re wet,” Tom said.
“Yes, it seems I am. Steph will murder me.”
Together they laughed and James climbed up the riverbank with his old friend’s help. As he got to his feet, he saw Tom’s face was starting to glow a milky hue.
Tom grinned. “He’s here.”
James raised his head and saw the shifting clouds. A luminous white disc was emerging from the black, and as it did a deep susurration followed from the heavens; a gentle voice that spoke with clarity and intent. “Hello, Tom. Good to see you again. I see you’ve brought a friend?”
